May 28, 2016

1,275 years ago
741

Died on this date
Ucha'an K'in B'alam. King of Dos Pilas, 727-741. Uchaʼan Kʼin Bʼalam succeeded Itzamnaaj Kʼawiil as Mayan King of Dos Pilas, in what is now the Guatemelan department of Petén. Uchaʼan Kʼin Bʼalam was known for capturing Yichʼaak Bʼalam, king of Seibal, and was succeeded on the throne by Itzamnaaj Kʼawiil's son Kʼawiil Chan Kʼinich.

200 years ago
1816

Died on this date
Wolde Selassie, 71 (?). Ethiopian warlord. Wolde Selassie succeeded in subduing rivals and controlling much of Ethiopia in the early 19th century, with Emperor Egwale Seyon being a figurehead ruler. Wolde Selassie was the first Ethiopian ruler to have close contact with Europeans, and pursued friendly relations with the United Kingdom.

100 years ago
1916

Born on this date
Walker Percy. U.S. author. Mr. Percy was based in Covington, Louisiana, and was known for writing novels set in and around New Orleans. His first novel, The Moviegoer (1961), won the National Book Award for Fiction. Mr. Percy joined the Roman Catholic Church in 1947 and his works of fiction and non-fiction reflected his Catholic faith. His best-known work of non-fiction was probably Lost in the Cosmos (1983). Mr. Percy died on May 10, 1990, 18 days before his 74th birthday.

War
British Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig advised the Canadian government of Prime Minister Robert Borden to abandon the Canadian Ross Rifle, since it overheated and jammed in combat; his recommendation was accepted by the government after the issue became public.

80 years ago
1936

Baseball
Goose Goslin drove in all the Detroit Tigers' runs with an outfield fly in the 2nd inning and hit a grand slam in the 7th, but the Chicago White Sox rallied for 4 runs in the top of the 9th to beat the Tigers 6-5 at Navin Field in Detroit.

The Brooklyn Dodgers scored 6 runs in the top of the 9th inning and held on to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 13-10 before 1,000 fans at Baker Bowl in Philadelphia. Tom Zachary entered the game in relief for Philadelphia with 2 out in the top of the 8th; after retirinf the next batter to end the inning, he faced 5 batters in the 9th, and allowed 4 hits, a base on balls, 5 runs--4 earned--and was charged with the loss to drop to 0-3 for the season. For Mr. Zachary, it was the 546th and final game of his 19-year major league career.

75 years ago
1941

War
British forces began the evacuation of Crete under heavy German pressure. The German command announced the capture by German and Italian troops of Halfaya Pass in Egypt southeast of Solum.

Defense
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt told a special press conference that he had no intention of asking Congress to repeal or modify the Neutrality Act, and that he did not plan to institute convoys for war material being shipped to Britain. The U.S. Maritime Commission requisitioned the 26,454-ton liner America, the largest merchant ship ever built in the United States, which would be turned over to the Navy.

Aviation
A spinproof private plane designed by Dr. Otto Koppen for General Aircraft Corporation was demonstrated in Newark, New Jersey.

Scandal
Former Kansas City Democratic Party boss Tom Pendergast and two other men were found guilty of contempt for deceiving a U.S. federal court in a $10-million fire insurance settlement.

Economics and finance
U.S. Interior Secretary Harold Ickes urged priorities on gasoline, oil, and electric power on the Eastern seaboard because of the increasing shortage.

Labour
The American Federation of Labor Executive Council pledged its support for U.S. President Roosevelt's plea for labour peace, and called upon its unions to refrain from striking against defense industries without first seeking mediation.

International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) President Harry Bridges, a native of Australia, testified at his U.S. deportation hearing that he now or ever was a member of the Communist Party. It wasn't until the 1990s that it was revealed that Mr. Bridges had lied.

Boxing
Tony Zale (48-15-2) retained his National Boxing Association world middleweight title with a knockout of Al Hostak (54-5-8) at 2:32 of the 2nd round at Chicago Stadium Outdoor Arena. Mr. Zale was knocked down for no count in the 1st round, but knocked Mr. Hostak down 8 times in the 2nd round.



Baseball
George Selkirk came to bat as a pinch hitter and hit a grand slam to climax a 5-run 8th inning to lead the New York Yankees past the Washington Nationals 6-5 before 25,000 fans in the first night game ever played at Griffith Stadium in Washington.

The Philadelphia Athletics scored 2 runs in the top of the 16th inning to defeat the Boston Red Sox 8-6 before 1,400 fans at Fenway Park in Boston. Philadelphia third baseman Pete Suder batted 4 for 7 with a double, 3-run home run, and 4 runs batted in. Boston third baseman Jim Tabor also hit a 3-run homer, with both blasts coming in the 6th inning. Tom Ferrick allowed 8 hits and 1 earned run in 10 innings to get the win in relief of Bill Beckmann, who allowed 7 hits and 5 earned runs in 6 innings.

70 years ago
1946

Died on this date
Carter Glass, 88. U.S. politician. Mr. Glass, a Democrat, represented Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1899-1918 and in the Senate from 1920 until his death. He was Secretary of the Treasury in the administration of President Woodrow Wilson from 1918-1920.

World events
Romanian police entered the U.S. military mission in Bucharest and arrested three Romanians employed there.

Diplomacy
Rulers of seven Arab states met on the estate of King Farouk of Egypt to discuss the Palestine problem.

Defense
U.S. Army General Dwight Eisenhower and U.S. Navy Admiral Chester Nimitz addressed the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, where they urged military collaboration with Latin American nations and possibly Canada.

Politics and government
Manuel Roxas was inaugurated in Manila as President of the Philippines.

Economics and finance
U.S. Secretary of State James Byrnes and French Foreign Minister Leon Blum signed agreements in Washington settling Lend-Lease accounts and extending two credits to France totalling $137 billion.

The British House of Commons approved the government's notice of its intention to nationalize parts of the iron and steel industry.

Labour
American Federation of Musicians President James Petrillo told reporters that he was ready to test the Lea Act after Chicago radio station WAAF refused to hire more musicians.

Disasters
Flooding along the Susquehanna River and its tributaries left 20 people dead or missing, and $3 million in damage in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and southern New York.

60 years ago
1956

Baseball
Dale Long hit a home run in his eighth straight game to help the Pittsburgh Pirates defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers 3-2 before 32,221 fans at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. Mr. Long homered off Brooklyn starter and eventual losing pitcher Carl Erskine to lead off the bottom of the 4th inning, tying the game 2-2. Bob Friend pitched a 2-hit complete game victory, shutting the Dodgers out after walking Jim Gilliam to lead off the game, and surrendering a 2-run homer to Duke Snider with 1 out in the 1st. Mr. Long's streak of home runs in consecutive games remains the National League record, and stood alone as the major league record until tied by Don Mattingly of the New York Yankees in 1987 and Ken Griffey, Jr. of the Seattle Mariners in 1993.

50 years ago
1966

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Hitch Hiker--Bobby and Laurie (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in France: Cheveux Longs, Idées Courtes--Johnny Hallyday

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Michelle--The Beatles (5th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Hundert Mann und ein Befehl--Freddy Quinn

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Sloop John B--The Beach Boys (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Paint It, Black--The Rolling Stones

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): When a Man Loves a Woman--Percy Sledge

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 When a Man Loves a Woman--Percy Sledge
2 Monday, Monday--The Mamas and the Papas
3 A Groovy Kind of Love--The Mindbenders
4 Paint It, Black--The Rolling Stones
5 It's a Man's Man's Man's World--James Brown and the Famous Flames
6 I Am a Rock--Simon and Garfunkel
7 Rainy Day Women #12 & 35--Bob Dylan
8 Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind--The Lovin' Spoonful
9 Message to Michael--Dionne Warwick
10 Love is Like an Itching in My Heart--The Supremes

Singles entering the chart were Let's Go Get Stoned by Ray Charles (#64); Crying by Jay & the Americans (#71); Truly Yours by the Spinners (#74); Loving You is Sweeter than Ever by the Four Tops (#77); Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won't Do) by Wilson Pickett (#81); When a Woman Loves a Man by Esther Phillips (#87); Popsicle by Jan and Dean (#89); Hanky Panky by Tommy James and the Shondells (#91); Younger Girl by the Hondells (#92); Along Comes Mary by the Association (#93); Cloudy Summer Afternoon (Raindrops) by Barry McGuire (#95); Sweet Pea by Tommy Roe (#97); He's Ready by the Poppies (#99); Little Girl by Syndicate of Sound (#100); Heart's Desire by Billy Joe Royal (also #100); and Farmer John by the Tidal Waves (also #100).

40 years ago
1976

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: Mississippi--Pussycat (11th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Fernando--ABBA (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Fernando--ABBA (9th week at #1)

Education
It was the last day of classes for the 1975-76 year at Sir John Franklin Territorial High School in Yellowknife; for this blogger, it was the last day of classes ever in Yellowknife. William McDonald Junior High School in Yellowknife held its awards night.

Defense
The U.S. and U.S.S.R. signed a treaty limiting the size of underground nuclear explosions for peaceful purposes, and providing for on-site U.S. inspections of Soviet tests.

The United Nations Security Council extended for six months the Golan Heights observer force.

30 years ago
1986

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): The Final Countdown--Europe

Died on this date
Taylor Douthit, 85. U.S. baseball player. A native of Little Rock, Mr. Douthit played 11 years as an outfielder in the major leagues from 1923-1933, mostly with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was the starting center fielder with the team that won the World Series in 1926 and National League pennants in 1928 and 1930. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds during the 1931 season and to the Chicago Cubs in 1933. In 1,074 major league games, Mr. Douthit batted .291. In 13 World Series games he batted just .140, with a best of .267 in 1926.

25 years ago
1991

War
Addis Ababa fell to the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front, ending both the Derg regime in Ethiopia and the Ethiopian Civil War.

Business
Edmonton-based Mel Hurtig sold Hurtig Publishing Ltd.--with a 100-book backlist including the Canadian Encyclopedia--to Avie Bennett's McClelland & Stewart.

20 years ago
1996

Politics and government
Premier Glen Clark led his governing New Democratic Party to a reduced majority government in the British Columbia provincial election; the NDP won 39 of 75 seats in the legislature, down from 51 in the 1991 election. The Liberal Party, led by Gordon Campbell, won 33 seats, up from 17 in 1991. The Reform Party, led by Jack Weisgerber, won 2 seats, and Progressive Democratic Party leader Gordon Wilson, formerly the Liberal leader, was elected. The Social Credit Party, which had governed the province from 1975-1991, failed to elect any of its 38 candidates, and was on its way to oblivion. Although the NDP majority was considerably reduced, it was considered a major surprise that the NDP retained power at all, as the Liberals had been 20% ahead of the NDP in polls conducted at the time the election was called on April 30. Liberal Ida Chong and NDP member Jenny Kwan became B.C.’s first Chinese Canadian MLAs.

Scandal
U.S. President Bill Clinton's former business partners in the Whitewater land deal, Jim McDougal and Susan McDougal, and Arkansas Governor Jim Guy Tucker, were convicted of fraud.

Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Eastern Conference Finals
Florida 0 @ Pittsburgh 3 (Pittsburgh led best-of-seven series 3-2)

10 years ago
2006

Auto racing
Sam Hornish, Jr. won the Indianapolis 500, passing rookie Marco Andretti 450 feet from the finish line to win by 0.0635 seconds in one of the closest finishes on record. Defending champion Dan Wheldon led for 148 laps, but was forced to pit early because of a punctured tire, and finished fourth.



Hockey
NHL
Stanley Cup
Eastern Conference Finals
Buffalo 3 @ Carolina 4 (OT) (Carolina led best-of-seven series 3-2)

Cory Stillman scored at 8:46 of the 1st overtime period to give the Hurricanes their win over the Sabres at RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.